Can Bono ‘save’ George Michael?

Bono has been on a mission for years to save the poor and suffering souls in Africa — so why not add pop superstar George Michael to his list of things to make better?

Besides being known for his wonderfully soulful music, Michael has earned an awful lot of notoriety, unfortunately, for his personal exploits, among them drug usage and cruising for male sex partners in public places both in London and the U.S. (Anyone remember the urinal incident in LA a few years back with an undercover officer?)

But Michael, who was simply awesome when we caught his U.S. tour in New York last year, says he’s doing just fine and doesn’t need an intervention from Bono or anyone else.

The Guardian newspaper in London published a frank interview last weekend with the British star, during which he revealed that his frenemy Elton John tried to enlist Bono to come to Michael’s aid.

"Elton lives on that. He will not be happy until I bang on his door in the middle of the night saying, 'Please, please, help me, Elton. Take me to rehab.' It's not going to happen,” Michael said.

“You know what I heard last week? That Bono . . . oh, for God’s sake . . .,” he added, taking a long break to laugh.

Michael went on to say that his good friend Geri Halliwell, a former member of the Spice Girls, was asked by Bono, "What can we do for George?" after Elton asked the U2 frontman to intervene.

"As if Bono gives a s*** what I do with my private life… Elton just needs to shut his mouth and get on with his own life,” Michael said.

“Look, if people choose to believe that I'm sitting here in my ivory tower, Howard Hughesing myself with long fingernails and loads of drugs, then I can't do anything about that, can I?"